How Do Microphones Work?

The Basics

Location of Microphone Diaphragm

Types of Microphone

(1) The type of conversion technology they use : dynamic, condenser, ribbon, crystal.

(2) The type of application they are designed for

Mic Level & Line Level

• The electrical current generated by a microphone is very small. Referred to as mic level, this signal is typically measured in millivolts. Before it can be used for anything serious the signal needs to be amplified, usually to line level (typically 0.5~2V).

• Being a stronger and more robust signal, line level is the standard signal strength used by audio processing equipment and common domestic equipment such as CD players, tape machines, VCRs, etc.☞ ‘ 음향기술총론 12 장 케이블과 커넥터 신호레벨의 분류’ 참조

Dynamic Microphones

Condenser Microphones

• Condenser Microphones

• Electret Condenser Microphone

Directional Properties

• Omnidirectional (omni means "all" or "every“)

• Cardioid ("heart-shaped“)

• Hypercardioid • Bidirectional

• Variable Directionality

Microphone Impedance

• What is Impedance?

• What is Microphone Impedance? 1. Low Impedance (less than 600Ω) 2. Medium Impedance (600Ω - 10,000Ω) 3. High Impedance (greater than 10,000Ω)

• Which Impedance to Choose? Low impedance is better than high impedance.

• Matching Impedance with Other Equipment

Microphone Frequency Response

• Frequency Response Charts

• Which Response Curve is Best?• Frequency Response Ranges • Condenser vs Dynamic

Summary, QnA